Our Story
Al & Sharon were the perfect match because they shared their life’s journey, yet they each always found their own way. When it came time to build their legacy, she wanted to find cures, and him, expand minds. Together, they created the Al & Sharon Cinelli Family Foundation. In December 2023, the foundation shortened its name to the Cinelli Family Foundation...click here to learn more.
Why Education?
Al was in college and struggling to understand calculus when his roommate offered to help. Before the night was done, Al had his Ah-Ha moment! For him, giving back means helping other students find their own Ah-Ha moments.
Why Cancer?
In his life, Al found love twice. And, both times, he lost his love to cancer. Lois, his first wife and the mother of his children, succumbed to leukemia in 1976. Al later married Sharon, who won her battle against Stage 4 breast cancer in the early 1990s but later succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2020. As we were losing Sharon in 2020, her last wish was that we split the foundation’s focus to include funds to fight to find cures for these three cancers.
Why Education & Why Cancer?
What business does a foundation have with such a split focus? Both cancer and education? We’ve been asked it a number of times! The passion of our split focus comes straight from our founders, Al & Sharon.
Contact Us
Executive Director - Janet Cinelli
Deputy Director - Eric Ryan